In the wake of the South Australian statewide blackout, based on current information, AGL Energy Limited (AGL) today confirmed that it had operated its gas and wind generation assets in accordance with Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) requirements and the Essential Services Commission of South Australia and ElectraNet safety and connection requirements.

AEMO reviews and approves processes and standards to safely connect generation assets to the grid, including operating parameters. 

AGL has safely run its wind turbines in South Australia for the past eight years and is confident wind generation does not degrade the reliability of the electricity system. Wind generation is a valuable part of the energy system and contributes positively to the reliability and security of the system.

AGL’s current view is that the reduction of wind generation alone was not sufficient in scale to cause the system to black out. In fact, a third of AGL’s wind generation at the time in South Australia continued to operate until the system blackout.

The severity of the recent storms in South Australia and the unprecedented scale of impact along the transmission network are an appropriate cause for a review of protection settings of generators and the network system.

AGL does not anticipate any system reliability or security obstacles to additional renewable generation in the NEM, subject to the better integration of climate and energy market policy. 

AGL will continue to work closely with energy market stakeholders and regulators to ensure the safe and reliable delivery of energy to customers. 

About AGL
AGL is one of Australia’s leading integrated energy companies. It is taking action to responsibly reduce its greenhouse gas emissions while providing secure and affordable energy to its customers. Drawing on over 175 years of experience, AGL serves its customers throughout eastern Australia with meeting their energy requirements, including gas, electricity, solar PV and related products and services. AGL has a diverse power generation portfolio including base, peaking and intermediate generation plants, spread across traditional thermal generation as well as renewable sources including hydro, wind, solar, landfill gas and biomass.